Minister Corcoran Kennedy launches “Sheds for Life”
Monday May 29th was a landmark day for men’s sheds in Ireland, as our flagship health and wellbeing initiative “Sheds for Life” was launched by Minister Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD, Minister of State for Health Promotion, at Belmont Men’s Shed in Co. Offaly. Sheds for Life is being developed in partnership with HSE Ireland and a range of other partners, including Irish Heart Foundation, See Change, Haven Pharmacy, Diabetes Ireland, Get Ireland Walking and Siel Bleu Ireland. For a full list of partners, see https://menssheds.iesflpartners/
At the launch, the Minister, who grew up locally, expressed her support and enthusiasm for the initiative. The launch was also attended by Fergal Fox, General Manager, HSE Ireland, Health Promotion and Improvement Dublin Mid-Leinster, who hailed the initiative as a major step forward for men’s health in Ireland: “The HSE has worked with Men’s Sheds for a number of years. Supporting men’s health and wellbeing is a part of our work under both our plan to implement ‘Healthy Ireland’ and within the ‘Connecting for Life’ Suicide Strategy. HSE Health Promotion & Improvement are working on many initiatives targeting men’s health and this partnership with the IMSA supports real engagement of men at community level.”
The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was represented by CEO Barry Sheridan, Chairman George Kelly and Health & Wellbeing Coordinator Edel Byrne, who has overall responsibility for the Sheds for Life initiative. Addressing a crowd of shedders from throughout Offaly, Edel noted that ““We know from academic studies, as well as our own shedders’ experiences, that men’s sheds naturally promote better mental and physical health. The support of the HSE and our other partners will allow us to take things to the next level. Through Sheds for Life, we can offer our sheds tailored programmes and resources that match their needs. The initiative will be developed in full partnership with the sheds themselves. There are men’s sheds all over the world, but this level of government support makes Ireland a world leader in delivering better health outcomes for men through the medium of sheds”.
Sheds for Life will deliver health and wellbeing supports, resources and programmes to almost 350 men’s sheds throughout Ireland, reaching at least 10,000 men. For more information on Sheds for Life, contact Edel Byrne on 087 621 5505, email edel@menssheds.ie or visit: https://menssheds.ieshedsforlife/
